Is Blue Wilderness dog food made by Blue Buffalo

Is Blue Buffalo Made in the USA? What You Need To Know

Blue Buffalo is a famous dog food brand with many recipes tailored for optimal canine health. There are tons of options in recipes, treats, and other supplements. If you have any kittiesthey even have quite a comprehensive cat food line.

But if you care about where your dog food company gets their ingredients, you might want to uncover the details. Blue Buffalo is in fact, proudly made in the USA. Lets learn more about this pet food company.

Blue Buffalo: About the Company

Blue Buffalo came about the same way as most dog food companies, from a place of passion. Commercial dog food at the time Blue Buffalo was formed seemed to be slim pickin and stuffed with all sorts of preservatives and artificial additives.

The Bishop family had an Airedale Terrier named Blue. Blue was an innovator, moving pets away from pet foods that had harmful fillers and artificial ingredients to create a healthy eating experience. Blue paved the way toward better nutrition for dogs to live their entire lifespan.

Since then, the company has grown exponentially, sharing its recipes globally. While Blue Buffalo is ever-expanding, they have pet food lines in both wet food and dry kibble. There are no fresh or raw options at this time, although they are very innovative and go along well with the times.

In fact, Blue Buffalo recently tossed around the idea of adding more wet food options to satisfy the market. So, we expect to see them come out with innovative pet food as time passes.

Rise in Availability

Blue Buffalo has recently expanded their availability, filling up shelves in pet stores and department stores across several countries. They aim to make their recipes available to pet parents of any variety for convenience.

You might find Blue Buffalo at your local Walmart, where you never did before. This is to be expected now as Blue develops broader markets. It tries to cater to the convenience of every pet parent, claws and wags alike.

Blue Buffalo Facilities

General Mills bought Blue Buffalo in April of 2018. The company headquarters remains in Wilton, Connecticut, but it also has other facilities across the States. The manufacturing plant is based in Richmond, Indiana, though they opened another in Joplin, Missouri in 2018 to expand.

They have a few different facilities to speak of. According to the Blue Buffalo website, all of their recipes are made in the United States. However, Blue Buffalo globally sources their ingredients, which means they work with a series of farmers and suppliers to obtain the ingredients they use in the dog food outside the United States. Blue Buffalo seems to source their ingredients with few recalls and deal with complaints responsibly.

The General Mills Worry

Blue Buffalo started as a small company in Wilton. When General Mills took over, it left a lot of questions for consumers. Will this company now outsource labor? Will they start getting shady with recipes or source ingredients from untrusted facilities for cheap labor?

According to Blues website, not much has changed since the General Mills takeover, but people still watch carefully.

Globally Sourced, Locally Manufactured

But where do they get the ingredients they use in their dog food?

Well, Blue has been under scrutiny before. In 2014, they admitted to using chicken byproducts. They claimed it was a mislabeling issue from their supplier, Wilbur-Ellis, in Texas. Since then, the issue has been resolved.

Some other manufacturers in the United States include:

• ANI-Vita Line
• CJ Foods
• Triple T Foods
• Tuffys
• Ainsworth

However, Blue sources ingredients globally, meaning they have partners from other countries to obtain items for their formulas. Their main website does not specify which countries or facilities.

In Conclusion

General Mills might have bought Blue Buffalo, but not a lot has changed. Although the food is made in the United States, many of the ingredients are sourced globally. While you can only get a limited amount of information from the companys actual website, you are encouraged to keep a watch.

We hope that Blue will keep its integrity and continue to add to its stellar reputation.

Featured Image Credit: bluebuffalo.com

Where Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Made? Brand Facts & FAQ

Blue Buffalo is a popular dog food that is marketed as being natural. But where is Blue Buffalo dog food made? Is it made in the United States, or does it come from overseas? In this article, we will take a look at the manufacturing process of Blue Buffalo dog food and see where it actually comes from.

Where Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Made? The Short Answer

The short answer is that Blue Buffalo dog food is made in the United States. The company has a corporate office in Connecticut. It has manufacturing facilities in Joplin, Missouri, and Twin Falls, Idaho. All of Blue Buffalos products are made in these two states.

Where Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Made? The Longer Answer

The longer answer to this question is a little bit more complicated. While Blue Buffalo does make all of their products in the United States, some of the ingredients that go into their dog food do come from other countries. For example, Blue Buffalo sources their chicken and turkey from Canada, and their lamb is sourced from New Zealand. The company also uses fruits and vegetables from Chile, Peru, and Mexico in some of their recipes.

While there is nothing wrong with sourcing ingredients from other countries, its important to note that Blue Buffalo is not a completely American company. If you are looking for a dog food that is sourced and made entirely in the United States, there are other options out there. However, if you dont mind your dog food containing some ingredients from overseas, then Blue Buffalo is a great option.

Blue Buffalo Buying Guide

Now that you know where Blue Buffalo dog food is made, you might be wondering if its the right food for your dog. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision:

1. Blue Buffalo is a good option for dogs with allergies or sensitivities. The company makes a variety of grain-free and limited-ingredient diets that are perfect for dogs with food allergies.
2. Blue Buffalo is a bit more expensive than some other brands on the market. If you are on a budget, there are other options out there that might be better suited for you.
3. Blue Buffalo offers a wide variety of products, so you should be able to find something that your dog will like. The company has dry food, wet food, and even treats!

History of Blue Buffalo

The company was founded in 2002 by Bill Bishop and his two sons, Dave and Billy. The Bishops started the company after their dog, Blue, was diagnosed with cancer. They were inspired to create a pet food that would be healthier for pets and would not contain any of the harmful ingredients that are often found in commercial pet foods.

Since its inception, Blue Buffalo has been one of the fastest-growing pet food companies in the United States. The company now has over $700 million in annual sales and employs over 700 people. Blue Buffalo is a publicly traded company, and it is currently owned by General Mills.

Products Offered by Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo offers a wide variety of products for both dogs and cats. Their dog food products include dry food, wet food, and treats. They also offer a line of pet supplements. Some of Blue Buffalos most popular products include their Wilderness dry dog food, their Freedom dry dog food, and their Life Protection Formula wet dog food.

For cats, Blue Buffalo offers dry food, wet food, and treats. Their most popular products include their Bluestreak dry cat food and their indoor health formula wet cat food.

Where to Buy Blue Buffalo Dog Food

Blue Buffalo dog food is available at most major pet stores, including Petcoand PetSmart. It is also available at many grocery stores and online retailers. You can purchase Blue Buffalo products directly from the companys website or through one of their authorized online retailers.

What Are the Main Ingredients in Blue Buffalo Dog Food?

The main ingredients in Blue Buffalo adult dog food are chicken, turkey, fish, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Other ingredients include peas, flaxseed meal, and brown rice. The exact ingredients vary based on the recipe or formula.

Is Blue Buffalo Complete and Balanced Nutrition for My Pet?

Yes, all Blue Buffalo products are complete and balanced nutrition for your pet. The companys products are formulated to meet the nutritional requirements set forth by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

What Are the Benefits of Feeding My Dog Blue Buffalo?

There are many benefits to feeding your dog Blue Buffalo.

Some of these benefits include:

• High-quality ingredients that are free from harmful chemicals and by-products
• Complete and balanced nutrition for your pet
• A wide variety of products to choose from
• Made in the United States

Does Blue Buffalo Make Treats?

Yes, Blue Buffalo makes treats for dogs. Their dog treats include biscuits, crunchy bites, and soft chews. Some of their most popular treats include their Wilderness Trail Biscuits and their Life Protection Formula Crunchy Bites.

What Is Blue Buffalos Return Policy?

Blue Buffalo offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of their products. If you are not satisfied with a purchase, you can return it to the store where it was purchased or contact the company directly to receive a full refund.

How Do I Contact Blue Buffalo?

If you have any questions or concerns about Blue Buffalo products, you can contact the company by phone at (800) 919-2833 between Monday Friday, 7:00 am 4:00 pm MST. You can also visit their website for more information.

How Much Does Blue Buffalo Dog Food Cost?

The cost of Blue Buffalo dog food varies depending on the product that you purchase. Their dry food products range in price from $15 to $75, while their wet food products range in price from $0.60 to $0.85 per can. Treats and supplements are also available for purchase on the Blue Buffalo website, and they range in price from $0.99 to $19.99. Overall, Blue Buffalo is a more expensive pet food option, but many pet owners feel that it is worth the extra cost because of the quality of the ingredients used in their products.

What Do Customers Think About Blue Buffalo Dog Food?

Blue Buffalo has a very loyal customer base, and the company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Pet owners love Blue Buffalo products because they are made with natural ingredients and do not contain any fillers or artificial flavors. The companys products are also very affordable, and they offer a wide variety of products to choose from.

The only complaint that seems to be common among Blue Buffalo customers is that the companys dry food products tend to be very crumbly and hard to chew. Other than that, pet owners seem to be very happy with the products that Blue Buffalo offers.

The Bottom Line

If you are looking for high-quality dog food that is made in the United States, Blue Buffalo is a great option. The companys products are made with natural ingredients and do not contain any fillers or artificial flavors. Blue Buffalo also offers a wide variety of products to choose from, and their prices are very reasonable. The only downside to this brand is that their dry food products can be hard to chew. Other than that, Blue Buffalo is a great choice for pet owners who are looking for a healthy and affordable pet food option.

Blue Buffalo vs. Blue Wilderness: Pros & Cons of Each

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Blue Wilderness is a line of products by the Blue Buffalo company, not a completely different brand. The company created it with the intent of promoting a type of dog food that mimics the ancestral diet of dogs with the goal of maximizing their health. As such, it focuses on high protein and fat contents, and real meat as the primary protein source, but you still might wonder if its really better than other lines by Blue Buffalo.

The biggest pro of Blue Wilderness over other product lines by Blue Buffalo is its high protein content, which helps your dog build lean muscle mass and optimal health. The other product lines by Blue Buffalo tend to be richer in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which makes them perfect for some dogs.

In this article, were going to compare Blue Wilderness with some other product lines to see how they stack up. Well take a look at the most popular Blue Wilderness products and see how they compare to the most popular products from the other lines. Well look into grain-free options, puppy food, food for small dogs, and food for big dogs.

Basic Similarities

Since the products we are going to examine in this article belong to the same company, they naturally follow a similar philosophy when it comes to the recipe. The Blue Buffalo company was founded by Bill Bishop after his dog had died of cancer. This made Bill and his family look into commercially available dog food and see what was wrong with it.

They found out that most commercially available dog foods contained many harmful ingredients, which they decided to avoid in their products, as a promise to their late dog Blue. Their goal was to create a healthy line of dog foods without any ingredients that might aggravate existing health conditions in dogs.

As a result, all types of food by this company, including Blue Wilderness, contain no soy, corn, or wheat, which are often used as fillers in dog food, while providing little to no nutritional benefit and possibly harming the dogs health.

Their food also contains no artificial preservatives and no chicken or poultry by-product meals. Many pet food companies base their dog food on slaughterhouse by-products, which are cheap, but provide very little nutrition to pets.

Blue Buffalo avoids this and opts for real meat as their main protein source. The choice is usually chicken, fish, or beef, coupled with healthy sources of carbohydrates, such as potatoes, brown rice, and carrots. They also include cranberries and blueberries as potent sources of antioxidants.

Lets take a look at how Blue Wilderness products compare to other similar products by Blue Buffalo.

Grain-Free Food

When it comes to grain-free dog foods, the most popular choice from the Wilderness line seems to be their adult chicken recipe. When it comes to the other lines, the most popular grain-free choice is Blue Freedom with beef and potatoes. Lets see how they compare.

Nutritional Information

• Crude protein: 34.0%
• Crude fat: 15.0%
• Crude fiber: 6.0%
• Moisture: 10.0%
• Caloric value: 409 kcal/cup

Key Ingredients

• Deboned chicken
• Chicken meal
• Peas and pea protein
• Tapioca starch
• Fish meal
• Dried tomato pomace
• Chicken fat (preserved with tocopherols)
• Flaxseed
• Pea starch
• Natural flavor
• Dried egg product

This product was designed for adult dogs that require a high-protein diet, and its safe to say that it gets the job done really well. With 34.0% of protein, its going to help your dog build and maintain lots of muscle mass easily.

Since its grain-free, its a great choice for a dog with grain sensitivities and allergies. It also provides a lot of fiber, which is going to aid digestion and reduce constipation, while the yucca schidigera extract is going to ensure that many bad smells will be eliminated after your dog uses the bathroom.

A negative aspect of this food is the inclusion of tomato pomace in the recipe. Its not a harmful ingredient, but it is sometimes seen as an unnecessary filler. It also contains some plant (pea) proteins, which makes it a less suitable option for dogs who are not big fans of such ingredients or have digestion problems.

Nutritional Information

• Crude protein: 24.0%
• Crude fat 14.0%
• Crude fiber: 6.0%
• Moisture: 10.0%
• Caloric value: 373 kcal/cup

Key Ingredients

• Deboned beef
• Turkey meal
• Potatoes
• Peas and pea starch
• Potato starch
• Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
• Pea protein
• Dried tomato pomace
• Flaxseed
• Natural flavor
• Chicken meal
• Tapioca starch

This beef-based recipe is also meant for dogs with tummies sensitive to grains, and it may be a good choice in that case. However, compared to the grain-free product from the Wilderness line, it contains less protein, which might not be the best option if your dog requires a high protein diet.

However, its lower in calories, which might make it a good diet food for a dog who needs to shed a few pounds. Similar to the previous product, it is rich in fiber, which is going to do wonders for your dogs digestion.

Puppy Food

In terms of their food options for puppies, the Wilderness chicken and grains recipe seems to be leading in popularity, while in other product lines, that title belongs to their Life Protection Formula for puppies with chicken and brown rice. Lets see how they stack up.

Nutritional Information

• Crude protein: 36.0%
• Crude fat: 16.0%
• Crude fiber: 5.0%
• Moisture: 10.0%
• Caloric value: 428 kcal/cup

Key Ingredients

• Deboned chicken
• Dry chicken
• Chicken meal
• Oatmeal
• Barley
• Natural flavor
• Potatoes
• Fish meal
• Dried tomato pomace
• Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
• Flaxseed
• Peas and pea protein
• Fish oil
• Dried egg product
• Salt

Blue Buffalo created this recipe for growing puppies, and judging from the nutritional information, it might just be what a puppy needs. With its high protein content and calorific value, it will support your puppys growth and help it grow into a happy and healthy dog.

Of course, its not suitable for puppies suffering from grain sensitivities and intolerances, but the grains it contains oatmeal and barley are great sources of good carbs and an excellent choice for any puppy.

Nutritional Information

• Crude protein: 27.0%
• Crude fat: 16.0%
• Crude fiber: 5.0%
• Moisture: 10.0%
• Caloric value: 398 kcal/cup

Key Ingredients

• Deboned Chicken
• Chicken meal
• Brown rice
• Oatmeal
• Barley
• Menhaden fish meal
• Peas
• Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
• Flaxseed
• Natural flavor
• Dried tomato pomace
• Dried egg product
• Pea protein
• Fish oil
• Salt

This is another great formula for puppies. Its based on real chicken meat, paired with quality grains, primarily brown rice, but also oatmeal and barley. This combination creates a good balance of protein and carbs, allowing your pup to stay energized, while building lean muscle and getting stronger.

Its also rich in various minerals, such as B3, B5, B7, B2, B1, B12, B6, and D3, which make sure that your puppy is developing properly. It also contains prebiotics, which make sure that your puppys digestion runs smoothly, while the yucca schidigera extract neutralizes bad odors.

One downside is that it contains less protein than its Wilderness counterpart we discussed above. However, it is less calorie dense, so if youve got a puppy whos getting a bit too fluffy, this might be a good choice for them.

Food for Small Dogs

The leading food choice from the Wilderness series, based on the reviews, is the adult toy breed with chicken recipe, while from the other product lines, it seems to be the Life Protection Formula small breed adult chicken and brown rice recipe.

Nutritional Information

• Crude protein: 36.0%
• Crude fat: 16.0%
• Crude fiber 5.0%
• Moisture: 10.0%
• Caloric value: 424 kcal/cup

Key Ingredients

• Chicken and chicken meal
• Pea protein and peas
• Tapioca starch
• Menhaden fish meal
• Dried egg product
• Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
• Flaxseed
• Natural flavor
• Dried tomato pomace
• Pea starch
• Dehydrated alfalfa meal.

This is a great formula for small dogs, especially those who are energetic and need a lot of calories to sustain their energy levels. Just like all other Wilderness products, it boasts a high protein and fat content, making it a perfect food for demanding dogs.

Its also loaded with various vitamins such as B3, B5, B7, B1, B6, B3, B9, B12, and D3, as well as antioxidants to maximize your small dogs health. Its also got a decent prebiotic content to aid your dogs digestion.

Nutritional Information

• Crude protein: 26.0%
• Crude fat: 15.0%
• Crude fiber: 4.0%
• Moisture: 10.0%
• Caloric value: 397 kcal/cup

Key Ingredients

• Chicken and chicken meal
• Brown rice
• Oatmeal
• Barley
• Menhaden fish meal
• Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
• Flaxseed
• Natural flavor
• Peas, pea starch, and pea protein
• Dried tomato pomace
• Dried egg product
• Salt

As we have seen in the other examples here, the Wilderness formula leads when it comes to protein content. However, the Life Protection formula that we have here contains much better carbohydrate ingredients, which may prove to be beneficial for dogs that require a more balanced carb content.

Its also rich in antioxidants and vitamins, as well as prebiotics, which take care of your dogs digestion and overall health.

Food for Big Dogs

The best-rated food for big dogs from the Wilderness line is the Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain recipe with bison, while when it comes to the other formulas, the top-rated pick is the Life Protection Formula with lamb and brown rice. Lets see how they compare.

Nutritional Information

• Crude protein: 28.0%
• Crude fat: 13.0%
• Crude fiber: 6.0%
• Moisture: 10.0%
• Caloric value: 374

Key Ingredients

• Bison
• Fish meal
• Tapioca starch
• Pea starch and pea protein
• Beef meal
• Dried egg product
• Dried tomato pomace
• Potatoes
• Flaxseed
• Natural flavor
• Canola oil
• Fish oil
• Dehydrated alfalfa meal

This recipe was created to truly mimic the diet dogs ancestors had in the wild. Its based on real bison, and contains lots of fiber to aid your big dogs digestion. Its also rich in omega 3 and 6, which ensure that your dogs coat stays shiny and healthy, even though theyre not essential nutrients.

This recipe contains less protein than most other Wilderness recipes, with only 28%. It is also relatively low in calories, with 374 kcal/cup. This makes it a good food choice for a big dog who needs to lose a little bit of weight to get healthy.

Nutritional Information

• Crude protein: 20.0%
• Crude fat: 12.0%
• Crude fiber: 6.0%
• Moisture: 10.0%
• Caloric value: 365 kcal/cup

Key Ingredients

• Lamb
• Menhaden fish meal
• Brown rice
• Oatmeal
• Barley
• Pea starch, peas, pea fiber, and pea protein
• Natural flavor
• Flaxseed
• Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
• Dried tomato pomace
• Fish oil
• Dehydrated alfalfa meal

Typically for Life Protection foods, this one, too, contains a good blend of high-quality carb sources, which is something that Wilderness products, which focus on protein, lack.

This is the lowest-calorie food choice on this list, which probably makes it the most suitable for dogs that need to diet down to a healthy weight. One downside of this is that its rather low in protein, at only 20.0%.

On the upside, it is very rich in fiber, at 6% max. fiber content, which makes it a perfect choice for good digestion.

Recall History

The Blue Buffalo company hasnt had many issues with recalls, but there have been some situations of which consumers should be warned, particularly if theyre worried about food safety.

In 2018, they voluntarily withdrew a whole lot of Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs because the product potentially had elevated levels of beef thyroid hormones.

The Blue Buffalo team had received one complaint about a dog (who recovered in the meantime), and after an investigation and working with the FDA, they decided to withdraw the whole lot for safety reasons.

Thankfully, this problem affected no other Blue Buffalo product, so, generally speaking, theyre safe to consume by healthy dogs.

In 2019, the FDA mentioned Blue Buffalo on the list of dog foods that might be potential causes of canine dilated cardiomyopathy. However, this issue is still unresolved since there is no clear link between this disease and certain dog food types. This information is just a warning for owners of dogs that may be prone to heart disease.

It might be best to consult your vet if youve got any worries about getting your dog on Blue Buffalo. Its the best way to avoid problems and maintain your dogs health.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Wilderness product line far outranks the other comparable lines by Blue Buffalo when it comes to the protein and fat content, which makes it perfect for active, working dogs. It is going to provide loads of energy and muscle-building blocks.

The other lines tend to lag when it comes to the protein content, but they make up for it with their good, balanced carb sources and high vitamin and antioxidant content. The other lines, especially Life Protection, can be better choices for dogs who need to go on a weight loss regimen, due to their lower fat content.

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